We live in a world filled with yes.
Busy schedules, upcoming deadlines, invitations to social engagements, work and family obligations, personal goals and expectations all constantly bombard us. We feel compelled to say yes to it all.
We say yes when our plates are already full and to situations that are unhealthy or unpleasant. Sometimes we even say yes to things that cause us fear or circumstances that aren’t good for us.
Why do we do this?
We say yes so we don’t let others down and to avoid facing our own fears about failure. Saying no can make us feel like a disappointment, leaving us hurt and with feelings of inadequacy. Saying no implies we aren’t capable or able to juggle it all.
Saying yes constantly can lead to burnout and frustration. When we are burned out, we end up in a state of sympathetic nervous system overload. Here we are unable to do our best, be productive, stay focused or be our best version of self.
Over the years, I spent so much time saying yes to wrong things and to the wrong people. Even when I found myself stressed out, I kept saying yes to please others. It took me a long time to realize that it just made me feel terrible about myself. It caused me to feel like a failure. Constantly saying yes left me overwhelmed, burned out and frazzled.
I learned that saying no is one of the best forms of self care.
Saying no allowed me to reclaim my voice. It gave me the power to care for my own mental and physical well being. It helped me tease out what was worthy of my time and set appropriate boundaries.
Saying no can help put things in perspective, regain control and gain confidence.
It can help you realize your worth, take back your power and allow the space for wellness, happiness and growth.
Saying no is not about abandoning obligations and ignoring the world. Saying no is about finding some balance. Saying no is about prioritizing what really matters and giving yourself space to recharge. Saying no is about focusing on you.
You don’t have to be everything for everyone. You don’t have to do it all.
Know that you are in charge of what is best for you.
Empower yourself to say no. You are worth it.
Take care & be well.
Laura